Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a significant decision by benching star player Mohamed Salah for the upcoming match against Sunderland on Wednesday. This marks the first time in his career that Salah has been sidelined for two consecutive matches in the Premier League.
In the current season, Salah has played in 12 league fixtures, contributing four goals and two assists to the team. Slot opted to rest him during the recent match against West Ham United, a move that paid off as Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory. In Salah’s absence, Dominik Szoboszlai filled the winger’s role, and goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed the win for the Reds.
Despite the successful outcome, Slot expressed his reluctance to make such a choice, emphasizing the impact Salah has had on the team. “It is not a nice thing for him, not for a Liverpool fan and not for me,” Slot stated. “A player that has been so important for us, you want to see him on the pitch. I prefer to see Mo on the pitch, scoring goals, and doing something special rather than the camera being on him when he isn’t in the game.”
The manager underscored Salah’s significance to Liverpool, acknowledging that the player will still be a crucial asset in the coming days. He will soon depart to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Following the match against Sunderland, Salah will have just three more appearances for Liverpool before leaving for the tournament.
Liverpool’s recent victory against West Ham marks only the second win in their last eight league matches, indicating a challenging period for the team. Slot’s decisions regarding player selection will significantly impact Liverpool’s performance as they seek to improve their standing in the league.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Liverpool adapts in Salah’s absence and whether this marks a turning point for the club under Slot’s management.
